GREENWOOD AND RASHFORD AMONG PFA NOMINEES

Manchester United forwards Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford have been named on the shortlist for the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2019/20.

Meanwhile, Manchester United Women star Lauren James is up for the Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year prize.

Greenwood and Rashford both posted superb campaigns, scoring 17 and 22 goals, respectively, as United’s collective front three – completed by Anthony Martial – hit a rich vein of form. The creative playmaker James top-scored for Casey Stoney's MU Women team, with an impressive nine strikes.

All players aged 21 or under at the start of last season (1 July 2019) were eligible for the award, which is currently held by Raheem Sterling of Manchester City.

The three Reds will find out if they are triumphant on Tuesday 8 September, in a ceremony that will be broadcast live across the PFA’s social media platforms.

The PFA Awards celebrate the leading performers from all four of England’s professional football leagues, and pay tribute to the achievements of all PFA members across the season.

Also revealed on the night will be the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year, plus the recipient of the PFA’s Merit Award – presented to someone who has given great service to the game over a lengthy period of time.

Should Rashford or Greenwood win, the relevant player will become the seventh Manchester United first-teamer to claim the prize, following Mark Hughes (1984/85), Lee Sharpe (1990/91), Ryan Giggs (1991/92, 1992/93), David Beckham (1996/97), Wayne Rooney (2004/05, 2005/06) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2006/07).

A United star has won the gong on eight occasions, which means the Reds have supplied more winners than any other club. Tottenham Hotspur (six) and Arsenal (five) are our closest challengers.

The women’s award, which Lauren James will contest, began in 2013/14. Should Lauren succeed, she will be the first member of Manchester United Women to win a PFA award.